Oral Roberts Golden Eagles vs. North Dakota State Bison Picks and Prediction for Thursday, March 5, 2026
Use Code WWWC This quarterfinal matchup in the 2026 Summit League Tournament features the No. 8 seed Oral Roberts Golden Eagles taking on top-seed North Dakota State Bison in Sioux Falls, SD. NDSU wrapped up the regular season 24-7 and 14-2 in league play, capturing the Summit’s regular-season title, while Oral Roberts finished 9-22 (4-12 Summit) and had to win a play-in game to reach this round. North Dakota State dominated much of conference play and enters as a clear favorite, but ORU will look to make this competitive after a previous double-overtime thriller earlier in the season. Get in on the action with our free NCAAB picks.
Golden Eagles aim to upset
Oral Roberts endured a down year in 2025-26 but still showed flashes of offensive firepower at times. The Golden Eagles average 73.3 points per game while allowing 78.1, resulting in a –4.8 scoring margin that reflects their struggles on the defensive end.
In their only regular-season meeting this year, ORU pushed NDSU to double overtime before falling 79-77, with three players scoring in double figures including Yuto Yamanouchi-Williams (19 points) and Connor Dow (15).
Key Players & Stats (2025-26)
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Yuto Yamanouchi-Williams (G/F): Scored 19 in the OT game vs. NDSU; one of ORU’s most efficient scorers.
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Connor Dow (G): Tallied 15 points and two steals in that same matchup and remains a go-to offensive threat.
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Ofri Naveh (G/F): Contributed 14 points in the earlier meeting and provides quality shooting.
Strengths
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ORU can score in bunches and has shown the ability to stay competitive if shots fall.
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Forced 16 turnovers in the double-OT loss, showing defensive potential at its best moments.
Weaknesses
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Defensively, the Golden Eagles give up too many high-quality shots and lack a consistent rim protector — reflected in the overall points allowed.
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Rebounding disadvantage (–0.9 margin in conference) limits second-chance opportunities.
Bison look to control tempo and bury the seed
North Dakota State is one of the Summit League’s most balanced and efficient teams in 2025-26, averaging a robust 81.5 points per game while allowing just 70.6. Their +10.8 scoring margin and regular-season championship highlight their dominance.
In a late-season highlight, the Bison clinched the Summit title with an impressive 96-63 home win, led by Tay Smith (28 points, seven threes) and Damari Wheeler-Thomas (19), demonstrating their offensive depth and shooting prowess.
Key Players & Stats (2025-26)
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Tay Smith (G): Senior leader and explosive scorer, capable of big nights like his 28-point performance.
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Damari Wheeler-Thomas (G): Secondary scorer around 14+ PPG, giving the Bison multiple offensive dimensions.
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Andy Stefonowicz (G): Contributes combo guard play with points and assists.
Strengths
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Top offense and strong 3-point shooting in league play (.368 team 3P%).
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Defensive discipline and forcing turnovers.
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Depth and rebounding edge help fuel transition and second-chance possessions.
Weaknesses
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When stifled early, NDSU can sometimes struggle to break out of a defensive shell, though that rarely lasts long in Summit conference games.
Oral Roberts vs. North Dakota State Picks
- North Dakota State up to -13 (5 units)
The Bison’s offensive firepower and overall scoring margin should prove too much for an Oral Roberts team that struggles defensively and played most of the season near the bottom of the Summit standings. NDSU should be able to open up space with floor spacing and defensive pressure, ultimately pulling away in the second half.
Total Pick for Oral Roberts vs. North Dakota State
- Over up to 159.5 (5 units)
Given that NDSU averages over 81 points and ORU’s defense is near the bottom of the league, a higher total is realistic if both teams hit early rhythm. The previous meeting went into overtime with both teams scoring at a high clip, and that trend could continue if Oral Roberts finds its shot.
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